The five songs on The Indigo Children’s Hug Me, I’m Homesick album “have been on a journey.” As one of the members explains five years ago, they found themselves miles from home “in a place of isolation.” The usual upbeat, optimistic artist fell into a deep depression after a relationship they held high was crumbling all around. Missing their childhood and the old friends they grew up with, writing music was the turning point – a way to cope with the loneliness. In the aftermath, the songs on Hug Me, I’m Homesick record what remains – a“concept EP for the homesick, the depressed, the lonely and the ones who have been cheated on.”The Indigo Children are a dreamy, indie folk band from Central Illinois, that combine elements of dream pop, post rock and psychedelia. First imagined by lead songwriter/guitarist Austin Johnson in 2015, Hug Me, I’m Homesick is the band’s second EP. Other members include Casey Rauch (bass/drums/synth/backing vocals), Gabriel Warner (lead guitar/backing vocals), Ben Chalfant (lead guitar/synth) and Mariah Johnson (backing vocals).
The opening track by the EP’s same name, holds true to the EP’s goal of a collection of concept songs – the duration of time and a slow unfolding of dreamy and beautiful instrumentation. Already I feel that the many layers of vocals, both tenor and baritone and/or bass, are one of the group’s greatest strengths. Also, the time the band took to mix and master this EP was well worth the effort. The balance between instruments and vocals is very professional. These words to the tune sum up nicely what must be the songwriter’s pining for a love that perhaps, was no longer there anymore – “I will find my way back home / I will find my way back home to her.” The words to “Old Friends” are something everyone should take heed to – “Don’t let your old friends / Become your old friends / Don’t lose their numbers / in your phone.” Man, if there’s a more tearful, heart wrenching song about missing your childhood and all the nostalgia that comes with it, I don’t I want to know about it. This one really tugs at the heart – the music is so gorgeous in its chilling vocal effects, its simple and almost nursery rhyme quality of the lyrics that really pack a punch. Grab a tissue or two for this one! “Come and Find Me” is a quiet tune and carries on the band’s dreamy, ethereal style of echoing vocals and dream pop/lo-fi synth sounds. Overall, this one has a bit more edge to it with some added synth textures, fuller bass lines and soundscape guitars. Another great haunting number that bleeds into “From One Soul to Another.” This one is an all instrumental track that feels like it’s in the right spot on the EP. Spacious, open sounds and guitar driven echoing melodies with plenty of crisp, ride cymbals are the highlights here. The band taps into their bag of dreamy psychedelia influence and it’s absolutely brilliant! The ending “Just in time (Wouldn’t You Know)” finds the songwriter reflecting on broken promises and betrayal. Musically, I thought this one was so well executed – the arrangement of instruments, the backing vocals, and just how everything seemed to be doing its own thing, but then, all of the band coming together in time so well. If you like the echoed, swirling sound of synths, folk indie and dream pop with heartfelt lyrics, stay awhile, and give The Indigo Children a try.
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